Lyrics: Wonderful

(The scene opens in the wizard's palace. Only the wizard is there when Elphaba enters, climbing in on the walls. She sets her broom down by the big head and walks around the room.)

[Wizard:] (Grabbing her broom. In the terrible Wizard's voice:) I knew you'd be back.
(In his regular voice) Hear me out. I never meant to harm you.
[Elphaba:] Well you have, you have harmed me.
[Wizard:] I realize that, and I regret it. Elphaba...
[Elphaba:] There you are! I’m setting those monkeys free! And don't try to interfere, or call the guards...
[Wizard:] I’m not calling anyone. The truth is I’m glad to see you again. It gets pretty lonely around here. And I know you must get lonely too.
[Elphaba:] You don't know the first thing about me.
[Wizard:] Oh, but I do. I do know you. I can't explain it exactly. You know what I mean? Elphaba, you've been so strong through all of this, aren't you tired of being the strong one? Wouldn't you like someone to take care of you? (He hands her back the broom.) Please, help me start again.
[Elphaba:] Don't you think I wish I could? That I could go back to the time when I believed you really were wonderful? The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? Nobody believed in you more than I did.
[Wizard:] Oh, my dear child...
I never asked for this or planned it in advance
I was merely blown here by the winds of chance
I never saw myself as a Solomon or Socrates
I knew who I was, one of your dime a dozen mediocrities
Then suddenly I’m here, respected, worshiped even
Just because the folks in Oz needed someone to believe in
Does it surprise you I got hooked and all too soon
What can I say? I got carried away
And not just by balloon...
Wonderful, they called me wonderful
So I said, wonderful, if you insist
I will be wonderful and they said wonderful
Believe me it's hard to resist
'Cuz it feels wonderful
They think I’m wonderful
Hey look who's wonderful
This corn-fed hick!
Who said it might be keen
To build a town of green
And a wonderful road of yellow brick!
See, I never had a family of my own since I was always traveling, and I guess I just wanted to give the citizens of Oz everything.
[Elphaba:] So you lied to them?
[Wizard:] Only verbally. Besides, they were the lies they wanted to hear. Elphaba, where I come from we believe all sorts of things that aren't true... We call it history!
A man's called a traitor or liberator
A rich man's a thief or philanthropist
Is one a crusader or ruthless invader
It's all in the label which is able to persist
There are precious few at ease
With moral ambiguities
So we act as though they don't exist...
They call me wonderful, so I am
In fact, it's so much who I am it's part of my name!
And with my help you can be the same...
At long, long last receive your due
Long overdue
Elphaba, the most celebrated
Are the rehabilitated
There'll such a whoopdee doo!
A celebration throughout Oz,
That's all to do with you!
Wonderful, they'll call you wonderful!
[Elphaba:] That does sound wonderful!
[Wizard:] Trust me it's fun!!!
[Both:] When you are wonderful,
It would be wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful
[Wizard:] One, two and...
(They dance.)
[Elphaba:] I'll accept your proposition
[Wizard:] Wonderful
[Elphaba:] On one condition
[Wizard:] Yes?
[Elphaba:] You set those Monkeys free.
[Wizard:] Done.